You walk into a CBD shop in Neuchâtel, Nyon or Fribourg, and the seller asks whether you're after a full spectrum rich in CBG with a floral terpene profile, or something more broad and relaxing. If your honest answer is "erm…", this little glossary is for you.
CBD: the molecule that doesn't get you high
Cannabidiol is the main molecule in legal cannabis. It's allowed in Switzerland precisely because it has no psychoactive effect. Many people use it for moments of relaxation and calm. In Switzerland, a product counts as CBD as long as it contains less than 1% THC.
THC: the molecule that gets you high
Tetrahydrocannabinol is the psychoactive compound in cannabis, the one that remains banned in Switzerland above the legal limit, except for regulated medical use. The Swiss tolerance goes up to 1% THC, which is higher than in several neighbouring countries and allows more complete full-spectrum products. Below that limit, you don't feel any psychoactive effect.
CBG, CBN, CBC: the other cannabinoids
The hemp plant contains over a hundred different cannabinoids. CBG (cannabigerol) is often called the "mother molecule", because the plant forms the other cannabinoids from it. CBN (cannabinol) is found in some products designed for the evening. CBC is still little studied. Some Swiss shops now offer oils enriched with CBG or CBN for those who want to go beyond CBD alone, like our Vital Hemp CBG + CBD oil.
Full spectrum, broad spectrum, isolate
A full-spectrum extract contains all the plant's molecules: CBD, CBG, THC under 1%, and terpenes. Broad spectrum keeps this molecular richness but without any trace of THC – useful if you have to take a saliva test or prefer to avoid THC on principle. An isolate is 99% pure CBD with no other compounds: very precise to dose, but without the synergy between molecules.
Terpenes: aroma and a bit more
Terpenes are hemp's natural aromatic compounds, responsible for smell and taste, and they also seem to slightly influence how the effect feels. Myrcene, earthy, is associated with relaxation. Limonene, citrusy, is more uplifting. Pinene brings a feeling of freshness. Quality oils generally keep their original terpene profile, and some flowers are even selected for that specific profile.
"This vocabulary is intimidating at first, but mostly it helps us understand each other in two sentences," says Cyril Piaget, founder of Tiny Green. "When a customer can say full spectrum or zero THC, we save ten minutes finding what really suits them."
The endocannabinoid system
It's a biological network in our body, involved in several functions such as mood, sleep and appetite. CBD interacts with this system, but it isn't a medicine: research on its effects in humans is still ongoing.
Key points on legality
CBD is legal in Switzerland as long as THC stays below 1%. You can buy it in specialist shops, pharmacies, online and sometimes in tobacconists. Serious products meet strict Swiss standards: traceability, accessible lab analyses and quality controls. With this vocabulary in your pocket, reading a label or chatting with a seller becomes much easier. Discover our CBD flowers, resins and CBD oils.
